Nuclear Power in Europe 2012

Abstract

Europe has been in the forefront of the development and implementation of the peaceful use of nuclear energy since the beginning, with the commissioning of the first nuclear plants in the world in the early fifties; today, nuclear power represents a significant contributor to the global energy supply in the continent (around 30%, i.e., almost twice as much as the world average). This paper investigates the current situation of nuclear in Europe, and whether there is a future for nuclear after the 2011 events. In preparation for the ASME PVP2013 conference to be held in Paris, France, next year, the paper aims at introducing our colleagues from all over the world into the European nuclear issues.